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16. A Lesson Learned
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Saving Ava 17. Baby Girl
Ava and Carver found themselves seated on the roof of his building. The sun was painting golden highlights on the nearby buildings as they enjoyed their breakfast. The rooftop setting had been transformed into a luxurious garden with neatly arranged planters, sculptures, and a glass table with ornate chairs. It offered a picturesque view of the city.A silence had settled between them after their initial pleasantries, and Ava used the opportunity to study Carver, taking note of the confidence he exuded. His eyes, however, held an inexplicable depth that seemed to beckon her to delve into his soul. Sensing her gaze, Carver looked up, his eyes meeting hers, inviting her curiosity."So, Carver, tell me something," Ava began, her voice soft and thoughtful. "Exactly how old are you?""I'm 31," he replied with a chuckle. "Feeling young yet, baby girl?""Hardly!" she laughed, shaking her head. "You have the energy of someone much younger. I'd say, 23. Max."His eyes sparkled at her complimen
Saving Ava 18. First Day
Ava's first day at Troy Enterprises was filled with both anticipation and a touch of anxiety. As she walked through the doors into the bustling office, she was acutely aware that this new chapter of her life would be unlike anything she'd experienced or been a part of.Upon arrival, Ava was met by her Supervisor, Lana, a stern, no-nonsense woman with a keen eye that seemed to cut right through Ava's apprehension."Good morning, Ava," Lana said sharply while extending her hand. "Welcome to the team. Let me introduce you to the others."Ava smiled, grateful for the welcome, yet unable to shake the feeling that Lana was judging literally her every move.The first person Lana introduced was Erica, a young copywriter with an air of innocence. She also had a penchant for natural living."Ava, our n-new tea-teammate," Erica said, her eyes twinkling. "W-welcome.""Thank you, Erica," Ava replied, touched by the warmth in the young woman's eyes. There was an earnestness about Erica that drew Av
Saving Ava 19. Kissing Games
Ava's heart raced as she considered Carver's proposal. A mixture of excitement and trepidation was swirling within her, pooling low in her stomach. Finally, with a challenging glint in her eyes, she agreed, "All right, let's see who wins."Carver slowly smirked before straightening his back. Now the game was serious.They immersed themselves in the game, and though Ava tried her best, she soon found herself trapped by Carver's clever moves. The board seemed to represent something far more profound than a simple chess match between them. In a surprisingly short time, she lost, and the anticipation that had been building reached its crescendo in her stomach.Carver's face softened as he looked at her, his eyes sparking with desire. Slowly, he leaned in, and their lips met in a soft kiss.It was an electrifying connection, as if a current passed between them. The sensation was unlike anything Ava had ever felt, her entire body responding to his touch.Oddly, his lips were the only part o
Saving Ava 20. Discovery
Returning home from work, Ava found herself with a jumble of emotions and an acute awareness of Carver's mysterious behavior. She knew she needed to distract herself, and her leftover assignments from her first day at work seemed like the perfect opportunity.Despite the exhaustion settling in her bones, she decided to stay awake and delve into her work. Her first assignment was writing copy for a 360 virtual tour of a high-rise apartment model from one of Carver's new projects. She set up her workspace, her mind already beginning to weave the words together.As she immersed herself in the details of the project, she couldn't help but be impressed with the elegance and innovation of Carver's design. The apartment model was an epitome of luxury, boasting panoramic views of the city, sleek modern furnishings, and intricate architectural nuances that spoke of impeccable taste and creativity. Each room was a symphony of form and function, and Ava found herself enthralled by the prospect o
Saving Ava 21. Gone
Ava's disappearance left a silence in the penthouse, a void that seemed to grow with each passing second. She'd told Peyton she was going to the roof to work, and at first, nobody questioned it. Five, six hours passed, but she was nowhere to be found.Carver's initial worry turned into a gnawing panic. Something was wrong. Deep in his gut, he felt it. He knew Ava. He was beginning to know her in ways he hadn't expected. In ways that confused and excited him. She was different, not like the others. Not like his former submissives. There was something in her eyes, something in her smile that tugged at his heart. Something that scared him.He couldn't shake the feeling that something had happened, something terrible. His breath came in short, sharp bursts as he pulled up the surveillance videos, his hands shaking as he traced her movements through the penthouse the night before.He watched her in the office, her face pale, her hands shaking as she looked at the files. He watched her pack
Saving Ava 22. Understanding
Ava's heart was still pounding as she stumbled through the unfamiliar streets of New York, clutching her bag tightly. Her mind was a whirlwind, the shocking images she had discovered in Carver's office replaying in her mind's eye over and over. She needed answers, and there was only one person she could think of who might provide them. Her fingers trembled as she dialed Arry's number.Arry answered on the third ring, her voice tinged with concern. "Ava? Is everything all right?""I need to see you," Ava blurted, tears welling in her eyes. "Can I come over?"Arry had been kind enough to take her in when she'd shown up at her door, disheveled and tearful.Arry settled into her favorite armchair, her eyes focused on Ava's distraught face. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated her kind and wise features as she patiently waited for Ava to speak.Ava's hands were shaking, and she clenched them tightly, trying to gather her thoughts. Finally, she began, her voice breaking with emotion."Arry
Saving Ava 23. Falling
Ava's heart pounded in her chest as the door to the penthouse closed behind her. The elegant space, which once felt like a realm of luxury and intrigue, now seemed to close in on her, tainted with secrets and half-truths. Carver stood at a distance, his usually dominant and controlled demeanor replaced by a silence that felt oddly vacant. Peyton's eyes, filled with concern, met hers as he guided her to sit.The three of them settled into an uncomfortable triangle, a trinity of tension and confusion. Carver's eyes were distant, his jaw set tightly as if holding back a storm of emotion. Ava's glance shifted between the two men, her mind reeling from the whirlwind of events.Peyton cleared his throat and began to explain, his voice gentle but firm. "Ava, what you saw in those files, those images, it's all part of something we call 'total control'. It's a dynamic, a relationship built on trust, consent, and understanding.""You tie women up and photograph them? What's the purpose of those
Saving Ava 24. Total Trust
In the dimly lit intimacy of Carver's bedroom, the world was reduced to the space between Ava and him. She drew him toward the bed, her lips locked onto his, a kiss filled with the kind of fervor that bridged the chasm between fear and desire. Her fingers danced along the buttons of his shirt, quickly unfastening them, while her other hand shrugged off her coat, her eyes never wavering from his. All the while, their lips continued to explore, each kiss a step deeper into uncharted territory.Carver's heart pounded in his chest, and his mind a raging storm. For all his usual control, he was now in a place he had never been before. He could feel the pressure building, the acute awareness that this was a precipice from which there was no turning back. His thoughts raced with conflicting emotions. Desire tangled with anxiety, longing marred by the fear of failure.He knew he wanted Ava, more than he had ever wanted anything. But his past, the intricate web of his desires that had defined
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Saving Ava 91. Control Rehab
Carver's laptop dinged, signaling a new email. He quickly opened it and started typing, his fingers flying across the keyboard. He was excited about what he was doing and that much was clear.Peyton was still sprawled out on their bed, unaware of the tension between Ava and Carver. The flicker of the camera’s light while she showered had rattled Ava, and Carver’s nonchalant dismissal... claiming it wasn’t him...had done little to comfort her.“Carver,” Ava said, sharper than intended. “I know I saw it. Why would the camera light be on if not for someone watching?”He didn’t look up immediately, focusing on the screen as he tapped away on the keys. “I told you, Ava, it wasn’t me. Maybe it’s a malfunction.”“A malfunction,” she echoed, skepticism threading through her tone. “How convenient. As you are sitting over there on the only laptop in the apartment with access to the feeds.”He finally looked at her, his dark eyes flashing with irritation. “There’s nothing to worry about.”“Then
Saving Ava 90. Peek
The journey back to the apartment was a testament to Carver's deteriorated state. His steps were unsteady, his body weak and battered. Peyton, with a firm arm wrapped around him, provided the support he desperately needed, practically carrying him the last few steps.Upon reaching the bed, Carver, exhausted beyond measure, collapsed face-first onto it. He made a feeble attempt to pull off his shirt, his arms reaching behind his head in a strained effort, but his energy was spent. Ava quickly assisted him, gently pulling the shirt over his head. Observing Carver's condition, Peyton declared, "I think it's time for another IV." He began preparing the medication, his movements efficient but careful.Ava stayed close to Carver, her fingers lightly tracing circles on his back. The sight of his injuries – the bruises, lash marks, and burns that covered his back, shoulders, and arms – was heart-wrenching. Each mark a painful reminder of what he had endured.Peyton, ready with the IV, gently
Saving Ava 89. New
After finishing the omelets, Peyton handed Carver a couple of pills, which he took without protest. They all moved into the living room, with Carver walking with difficulty. Ava, ever attentive, wrapped a blanket around him and helped him settle on the couch. Peyton, needing a moment to gather his thoughts, turned on the TV and sat in a chair, his mind still racing with the revelations and the situation at hand. Peyton, looking intently at Carver, broke the silence. "Okay, is there anything else you want to admit? Get it out right now, so I can start to get over this agitation," he said through gritted teeth. Carver paused, weighing his words carefully. "I... I changed my contract at Esmerelda's," he finally admitted, his voice low and filled with a sense of defeat and embarrassment. Peyton sat up straighter, his attention sharpened. "How exactly did you change it?" he asked, a hint of worry creeping into his tone. "I added intimate encounters," Carver confessed, avoiding Peyton'
Saving Ava 88
As they settled Carver in the bed, Ava began the task of undressing him. His jeans, the same pair he had been wearing when he first arrived at Esmerelda's over a week ago, were tattered and stained with blood. Carefully, she helped him into a pair of pajama pants and one of his T-shirts. It became apparent that Carver had lost a significant amount of weight; the shirt, which would have once fit him snugly, now hung loosely on his frame.“When was the last time you ate?” Ava asked gently, her concern evident in her tone.Carver’s response was faint, “I don’t even know.”Peyton, sensing the immediate need, headed into the kitchen to make soup, considering it the most appropriate and easy-to-digest food for Carver in his current state.While Peyton was away, Carver, with a sudden surge of energy, rolled over and pulled Ava into a tight embrace. As she held him, Ava realized he was burning up with fever. “You’re so hot,” she whispered, her worry growing.Peyton returned with the soup, and
Saving Ava 87
Carver's fever worsened, a clear sign that his body was struggling to cope with the injuries. The infections from the wounds were not properly treated, adding to his physical distress. His once muscular and resilient body was now a canvas of suffering, each mark a story of his descent into despair.Esmerelda, witnessing his decline, realized that Carver was on a path to self-destruction. His disregard for his physical well-being was alarming, but it was his mental state that worried her the most. He had become a shell of the man he once was, driven by a need to punish himself that was consuming him from the inside.The fever brought with it delirium, and Carver began to lose touch with reality. His moments of lucidity were few and far between, and during these moments, he was haunted by visions of Peyton and Ava. In his fevered state, he would sometimes speak to them, apologizing, pleading, and expressing his love and regret.As Esmerelda watched Carver hanging from the rack, his body
Saving Ava 86
Esmerelda's sharp rapping on the truck window jolted Carver awake. Blinking against the sunlight streaming through the glass, he saw her standing outside, her appearance strikingly different in the daylight. Gone was the dominatrix persona, replaced now by a more business-like demeanor."I can't have my patrons sleeping in their trucks out front, Carver," Esmerelda stated, her tone a mix of annoyance and concern.Carver, still disoriented from sleep, responded, “Well, I own the fucking building, give me a room.”Esmerelda paused, considering his request, before nodding in agreement. “Okay, fine,” she conceded. She led him inside the building, guiding him to her personal apartment. The space was unlike the rest of Esmerelda’s establishment; it was more reflective of her day-to-day life, less about her professional role.She pointed to the couch. “You can sleep there,” she said, her voice softer now, a hint of empathy creeping through.Exhausted, Carver collapsed onto the couch, his bod
Saving Ava 85
As Carver unbuttoned his shirt, the receptionist silently entered the room behind him. Observing the scene sternly, Esmerelda gave a slight nod to the receptionist. In response, the receptionist sharply smacked her clipboard against Carver’s bare back, chastising him for prematurely disrobing. "No one told you to do that," she reprimanded. Carver, startled, slowly rebuttoned his shirt, his gaze never leaving Esmerelda. He was well aware of the rule against making direct eye contact in such circumstances, yet he could not look away, a silent rebellion against the order of things. A quiet plea for more pain. Esmerelda informed the receptionist that Carver had chosen the 'unlimited' path for tonight's session. The receptionist's smile turned wicked at the revelation. Carver had never before given them such control, and the anticipation of what they could do with this newfound power was evident in her expression. Led through the new halls of Esmerelda's, Carver couldn’t help but notic
Saving Ava 84
Ava and Peyton navigated a tumultuous sea of emotions in the safe confines of Peyton's apartment. Each day of the week felt like an eternity, filled with moments of fragile calm, abruptly shattered by waves of distress and grief. Ava, usually so composed and strong, grappled with an overwhelming sense of loss and confusion. Her emotions swung like a pendulum, from moments of numbness to intense bouts of sorrow.During one particularly harrowing evening, Ava curled up on the couch, a blanket wrapped tightly around her. Her face, usually full of life and warmth, was marred by the shadow of heartache. "I just feel so lost, Peyton," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. "Like a part of me is missing, and I don’t know how to get it back."Peyton, sitting beside her, wrapped his arm around her quivering shoulders. His heart ached at the sight of her pain. "I know, Ava. It’s hard, it’s really hard," he said, his voice a mixture of empathy and determination. "But
Saving Ava 83
"I'm not sure I want there to be an 'us' anymore, Peyton." The sentence hung in the air, heavy with implications and sorrow.Peyton's breath hitched, his heart racing with panic. He gently held Ava back, searching her face for clarity, for confirmation of the fear that now gripped him. "Ava?" he asked desperately.Ava, seeing the alarm in his eyes, hurried to clarify. Her words rushed and filled with emotion. "No, no, not us. I want us, Peyton... I'm just not sure I want 'us' to include him anymore." Her eyes, red and swollen from crying, bore into his, conveying a steadfast love for Peyton, even amid the heartbreak.Peyton was speechless, the complexity of their entwined lives with Carver suddenly unraveling before him. He nodded silently. Pulling Ava back into his embrace, Peyton held her close, a silent oath to be her support and anchor in their lives raging seas. They lay together, wrapped in each other's arms, finding solace in their shared grief. Ava's sobs slowly subsided, but
